Shehu Buba, a senator from Bauchi, has spoken out about the accusations that he has ties to a bandit lord.
The federal legislator, who is the Peoples Redemption Party’s (PRP) candidate for governor in Bauchi, has been the subject of strong requests for an investigation.
In a recent statement, former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung called on the Department of State Services, or DSS, to provide the findings of its investigation into claims that Buba was connected to accused bandit Abubakar Idris.
Dalung emphasised that the accusation raises significant issues about national security and the integrity of the nation’s security system and that it should not be viewed as a simple political dispute.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, the senator accused political rivals of discrediting him with films purporting to be from bandit kingpins.
He claimed that since he has never sponsored bandits nor entertained bandit kingpins in his home, he will not submit to blackmail.
He claimed to have a spotless service record both before and during his election to the Senate. He advised Nigerians and Bauchi State residents to ask him any queries they may have about his services.
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Buba revealed that he had brought the tapes to Nigerian courts and the Niger Republic’s Court of First Instance, claiming that their content was malicious and untrue.
He said the allegations were part of a coordinated campaign driven by financial motives and partisan interests rather than any genuine concern for truth or accountability.
He challenged individuals and organisations with credible evidence of wrongdoing to submit it to the appropriate authorities.
He insisted that he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear from any legitimate investigation. He also urged his supporters not to be provoked but their focus on winning the 2027 elections.
Buba said: “Let us remain calm, disciplined and committed to the democratic process.
“My decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), under whose platform I am pursuing my gubernatorial aspiration, should be debated on policies, competence and vision not on fabricated allegations.
“It is deeply unfortunate when acts of compassion or legitimate security-related contacts are stripped of context and repackaged as evidence of wrongdoing.
“I welcome scrutiny, But scrutiny must be fair. I do not claim immunity from scrutiny. As a Senator, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, currently chairing the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry, and now a gubernatorial candidate, I recognise that my actions and associations will be examined. That is democracy. “But scrutiny must be based on facts.
“There is a difference between investigation and fabrication, between criticism and blackmail, and between political opposition and deliberate character assassination.
“Modern disinformation thrives on recycling old allegations, editing them, attaching new captions and redistributing them until repetition masquerades as evidence,” he stated.
He asked members of the public to beware of fake news and doctored videos.
He added: “I appeal to editors, journalists, fact-checkers, civil society organisations and opinion leaders to approach these allegations with professionalism and fairness.
“Verify the videos. Examine their origins. Establish the identities of the individuals involved. Review court records. Consult relevant security institutions. Subject my explanations to scrutiny as well.
“I will continue to defend my name through lawful means.
“More importantly, I will continue the work that has defined my public life: serving my constituents, supporting those in need and contributing to the peace and security of our nation. The facts should speak louder than propaganda.”
